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10 Stunning Travel Destinations for Devout Culture Vultures

How many of these have you visited?

14 May 2014

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For travellers in search of a culture fix, all countries of the world have something to offer. However, some cities and destinations are renowned for their eclectic mix of vibrant culture. The following ten cities were part of the original dozen featured in the World Cities Culture Report – one thing is certain: a trip to any of the following destinations will leave you enriched and educated, and almost certainly culturally fulfilled.

Boasting more than 240 museums, world-famous works of art, and nearly 12,000 comedy performances each year, London is a melting pot of culture. Seamlessly blending historic buildings with cutting edge modern architecture, the city’s cosmopolitan and open-minded vibe encourages arts and culture to thrive. Dance, theatre, pop art, fine dining, cinema, exhibitions, fairs and carnivals: there is always something going on in London, and culture here is widely accessible to all. London’s cultural attractions are some of the most visited in the world, and it’s a must-visit destination for any culture vulture.

Since the reunification of Germany, Berlin has been a vibrant hub for youth culture and the arts in Germany. With almost 150 museums and a whopping 700 art galleries, visitors to Berlin are spoilt for choice. The city is a hub of the European film scene and many international broadcasters such as MTV have their headquarters here. Berlin’s nightlife is legendary, and the city has one of the strongest gay scenes in Europe. Its classical music heritage is also celebrated; Berlin is home to three opera houses and seven symphony orchestras, including the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra, one of the world’s best.

Istanbul is one of the few places in the world where there is a true blend of Western and Middle Eastern cultures. A cosmopolitan and tolerant city, it blends ancient history with a forward-looking approach. The city has nearly 70 museums and a wide range of art galleries. Archaeological museums are particularly well-represented and focus on Istanbul’s fascinating past. Many international festivals take place in Istanbul, including the International Istanbul Film Festival, acclaimed the world over. The Grand Bazaar is one of the world’s oldest indoor markets, and the many boutiques and fashion houses are testament to Istanbul’s growing importance as a cultural destination.

Johannesburg is a fascinating destination for the culture lover because its vibrant arts scene is still emerging and being shaped. The city has made huge efforts to increase cultural participation among even its poorest residents, primarily via festivals and carnivals. A well-developed heritage infrastructure focuses on telling the story of the struggle against apartheid. In nearby Soweto, intense efforts are underway to promote culture, including the building of the first theatre in a township. Johannesburg also boasts the Cradle of Humanity world heritage site, where the world’s oldest hominid fossils were found, dating back some 3.5 million years.

No list of cultural meccas would be complete without New York City. It’s a hub for creative industries and the proud home of an array of non-profit institutions, museums, galleries and cultural destinations. New York has always welcomed immigrants from around the world, each wave of which has left its mark on the city’s culture. It has the largest number of theatres of any city in the world – nearly 500 – many of which you can find on world-famous Broadway. The Metropolitan Museum of Art is one of the world’s largest and is rivalled by the nearby Museum of Modern Art. Whatever your cultural pleasure, the Big Apple is a delight.

Sao Paulo is the world’s third largest city, and one of the most culturally diverse. A thriving nightlife scene is a certainty – the city has the largest number of nightclubs, dance halls and discos of any city in the list. Dance and the performing arts are particularly strong in Sao Paulo, and there is a thriving focus on modern art too. Eclectic restaurants feature cuisine from right across the world, and there are many quirky museums to explore. Sao Paulo also hosts the world’s biggest gay pride festival.

China’s largest city has long been one of its most cosmopolitan too, which has led to a fascinating cultural aspect to the city. In a bid to further raise its international profile, the city is embarking upon a highly ambitious cultural enrichment programme – the aim is that by 2020, Shanghai will be able to compete with more established cities of culture around the world. It’s already big in the cyberpunk world, and its cutting edge architecture – the Oriental Pearl Tower, for instance – is internationally recognised. The Shanghai Museum has one of the largest collections of Chinese historical artefacts in the world. The city has been vital to China in the development of both literature and cinema, and these roots are reflected in modern day writings and films.

Sydney

Famously friendly, Sydney boasts a multicultural, open-minded and diverse cultural scene. Waves of immigration have contributed to a thriving arts community, with literature, music, performing arts, visual arts and pop culture all well-represented. The Museum of Contemporary Art is Australia’s foremost art museum, and the annual Sydney Writers’ Festival regularly attracts big international names. Many cultural events take place outdoors in Sydney’s idyllic climate, and while landmarks such as the Sydney Opera House are world-famous, there exists also a very healthy and exciting fringe element to the city’s arts scene.

Tokyo

Despite being a thriving international centre, Tokyo retains its distinctly Japanese identity, and this is central to its cultural appeal. Pop and youth culture are especially important here; from anime to manga, Hello Kitty to Pokemon, subcultures with avid followings are highly visible. Otaku culture (basically the culture of fandom) is an essential part of some Tokyo districts, and gives a playful feel to the city. Performing arts are also important here and often feature heavily in various religious festivals. Tokyo’s culture is quite unlike any other city, making it a must-visit for the keen cultural traveller.

The City of Love has the highest number of cinemas and libraries of any city in the list, but it’s perhaps for its visual arts that Paris is best loved. From the Louvre, the world’s most visited museum, to the street artists of Montmarte, you can’t escape the arts if you tried. Paris is also the original home of haute couture and remains one of the world’s major fashion hubs. Performing arts thrive too, and Paris is home to the world-famous Moulin Rouge as well as a huge range of other theatres and music halls.

What defines “culture” is a very personal thing. Whether your pleasure is seeking out little-known museums, taking in great works of art or listening to wondrous music, any of the cities in this list will thrill and inspire.